The battle for leadership in the Alliance for Democracy (Aford) took a new twist on Wednesday with each of the two factions fighting for supremacy electing its own president at parallel conventions in Lilongwe.

Presidential aspirant Frank Mwenefumbo was elected party president, hours after another convention called by Enoch Chihana on Tuesday ‘re-elected’ to the Chihana the same position.

Mwenefumbo told Zodiak Wednesday evening that he was not moved to hear that Mr. Chihana had fired him.

Earlier, both officials declared themselves winners of a presidential election which was marred by controversy at what was supposed to be the party’s two-day convention at Bon Bosco Youth Centre in the capital city.

The convention ended prematurely as the two sides could not agree on the legitimacy of voting delegates, resulting in Mwenefumbo holding the vote for president and other officials at what he called the party’s headquarters, previously his house, in Area 49.

Chihana returned to Don Bosco with his camp to hold yet another convention where was elected the president alongside what he called a new national executive committee.

“I do not need to react because that is a sham; that is an illusion. I am the legitimate leader of Aford duly elected by a duly convened convention which was legally convened,” argued Mwenefumbo.

“I do not understand where he is getting the powers to fire me because he is longer the leader of Aford.”

He argued that the national executive committee of Aford formed alongside Chihana had been dissolved and the legitimate one was the one being chaired by him.

On the other hand, Chihana argued: “The whole organizing committee was here. The president was here. When you talk of a party you talk of members. So I will not take anything from anyone who was not here.”

“The convention has expelled Honorable Mwenefumbo, Honorable Guta, Honorable Kamoto and Honorable Ritchie and Honorable Dan Msowoya. One, they are saying insubordination, bringing the party into disrepute and also not respecting the constitution of the party. Those are some of the allegations against them”

All the officials mentioned were elected into the national executive committee of the Mwenefumbo camp.

Asked whether the decision will bring sanity in the party, Chihana said: “That’s the decision of the convention. They feel that removing these people, I think, will bring peace in the party.

Earlier, political analyst Twidwa warned the northern powerbase was poised for a poor run in the 2019 polls if the continued disagreements continue.

Meanwhile, it remains uncertain as to what will be future of the party and who will represent it in the 2009 presidential elections, as both sides have indicated they will not relevant and no intention to take the matter for legal mediation.